“I’d die for the Stars and Stripes, sir!”
Mock declared, in a voice choked with emotion.

“But I felt tired, the other day, and I got
a notion Captain Holmes was down on me. So I
went bad and got busted. Then I hated Captain
Holmes, sir, and ached for a chance to get square with
him. Then that accursed carpenter fellow hunted
me out, talked with me, and made me think he was my
friend. If I had known he was a Kaiser-hound
I’d have split his head open at the first crack
out of the box.”

“I didn’t doubt you as a loyal man, Mock,”
Dick continued, in a whisper. “I spoke
to you the way I did back on the road because I was
sure the fellow was near and listening. I didn’t
care much about catching him to-night because I hope
to catch him later on, and get him even more red-handed.
Mock, you’re loyal, and I’m going to
put your loyalty, if you consent, to a hard, bitter
test.”

Dick went on in an even lower tone, Mock listening
in growing astonishment, without replying a word,
though he nodded understandingly.

“So, now,” Prescott wound up, “I’m
going to continue into camp with you still a prisoner
and be mighty hard on you. However, I won’t
hold the pistol on you any longer.”

Into camp Dick marched the soldier, then over toward
the buildings of the Ninety-ninth, and thence along
to the bull-pen.

“Sergeant of the guard!” Prescott called
briskly, and that non-commissioned officer appeared.

“Take charge of Private Mock as a prisoner,
charged with being absent from camp without leave
or pass,” Dick ordered. “I will
report my action to Captain Holmes, who will dispose
of his case.”

From there Dick led the horse back to B company barracks,
turned the animal over to an orderly and went into
the company office, where, as he had expected, he
found Greg immersed in a grind of paper work.
For a few minutes Dick talked earnestly with his chum
in low tones, Captain Holmes frequently nodding.

“And now, I think I had better go down to the
adjutant’s office, to see if he’s still
at his desk,” Dick finished, “and, if so,
make my report.”